Is it about damn time I get a NS4?

[miglio77]

Hi forum friends!

First of all, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, and all of the related things. I've been a little less active recently as 2024 has been kind of a tough year. I haven't had the right time to think about my musical endeavors, aside from showing up for rehearsals and gigs, not really doing too much sound design or investing in future gear.

Heading into 2025, things seem to be looking up (aside from not having enough time for much of anything). Now that the NS4 has been out for about two years, should I go ahead and get one, with the intention of gradually transitioning from NS3 to NS4?

As some of you know, I have two NS3 units that I use for rehearsal and gigs. I play with 3-4 bands and have all of of my programs with samples etc. all dialed into different banks, and it's very easy for me to context-shift between different projects. My two main bands have the most time investment in programs and special samples.

As we head into 2025, I find myself a slight bit bored or complacent with the NS3 units I've been using since 2018. Yet those NS3 units simply work. They do the job and sound great. So I am very torn on whether I want to invest the time and money to get a NS4 (ultimately two of them), or just stick with what I have and maybe consider adding some other items to the rig.

For those that have been through the NS3 > NS4 journey, I would appreciate any insights!

Thanks,
Eric

[Ecaroh]

Hi ericL,

I’ve been one those few critics of NS4. My critic is mostly about MIDI. I’ve summarized my view this way: if you use NS4 midi-connected to other gear NS4 is big step backwards from NS3. I know this very well because I bought NS4 to replace my NS3 with setup NS+Access VirusTi2+Elektron Digitone+Mac with iConnectMidi-interface. There are many things which are impossible with NS4. Result is that NS3 is still with my gig setup, NS4 is waiting for better times, hopefully not forever.

On the other hand those users that use NS4 standalone (not connected to other gear), seem to be satisfied with their instrument. But if anything at least concider this: even Aux kb mode does work well. If I am right ext midi controller cannot use mod. wheel, exp pedal or after touch to controll NS4’s synth, organ or piano. And we’ve waited at least this to be fixed over 1,5 years now….

[cphollis]

I had two NS3Cs at the time the NS4 was released. I held out for six months, then eventually sold both before moving to a single NS4C.

I, too, had many programs dialed in for various projects, and not looking forward to recreating them all. My biggest concern was not having "song mode" on the new machine.

I won't understate the amount of time it took to migrate. It starts with spending enough time to fully appreciate the new features on the NS4C, and then re-imagining them on the new setup. There is a learning curve involved. Mine all eventually ended up sounding much better thanks to FX, etc.

There is a list of outstanding issues being tracked, none of which remotely apply to what I'm doing. My setup is a NP5 73 acting as a midi controller with the NS4C acting as a single control surface for everything. It's great.

If I were to make a short list of things I like the most about the upgrade, it would be (a) FX section, (2) real faders to mix, (3) improved sonic clarity, and (4) substantial synth upgrades. Everything just sounds better once it's all dialed in.

I also was able to purchase a great 80s pack from Narfsounds for this 80s project I'm in. Even if I don't use all the programs, it's fun to see what he did.

So, big effort but worth it in the end.

[miglio77]

Hi forum friends!

First of all, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, and all of the related things. I've been a little less active recently as 2024 has been kind of a tough year. I haven't had the right time to think about my musical endeavors, aside from showing up for rehearsals and gigs, not really doing too much sound design or investing in future gear.

Heading into 2025, things seem to be looking up (aside from not having enough time for much of anything). Now that the NS4 has been out for about two years, should I go ahead and get one, with the intention of gradually transitioning from NS3 to NS4?

As some of you know, I have two NS3 units that I use for rehearsal and gigs. I play with 3-4 bands and have all of of my programs with samples etc. all dialed into different banks, and it's very easy for me to context-shift between different projects. My two main bands have the most time investment in programs and special samples.

As we head into 2025, I find myself a slight bit bored or complacent with the NS3 units I've been using since 2018. Yet those NS3 units simply work. They do the job and sound great. So I am very torn on whether I want to invest the time and money to get a NS4 (ultimately two of them), or just stick with what I have and maybe consider adding some other items to the rig.

For those that have been through the NS3 > NS4 journey, I would appreciate any insights!

Thanks,
Eric

Hi ericL,

I own a Nord Stage 4-88, a Nord Stage 3-88, and a Nord Stage 2EX-Compact. I purchased the NS4 in February 2023 and received it in May 2023.

From the beginning, I was impressed by the improvements of the NS4. However, after months of use, I’ve encountered some limitations that might influence your decision to upgrade:

• Synth Section: Unlike the NS3, the NS4 only offers limited dual oscillator configurations per layer (initially, there were none at all). To achieve a sound with two oscillators (e.g., a Saw and a Square), you need to use two separate layers, which reduces the available slots. This is a significant limitation in the synth’s usability.

• Mono Legato HI-LO Function: While this feature is promising, it has its limitations. When moving from a higher note to a lower note within a chord, the overlap restriction can disrupt the melody. A more flexible note priority would improve the user experience.

• Vibrato Synchronization: Currently, the vibrato is not synchronized across the three synth layers, which can be problematic when programming sounds with multiple oscillators on different slots. Synchronizing the vibrato LFO across layers would enhance sonic consistency.

• Extern Section: In the NS4, using the Extern section reduces the number of internal slots available in the synth section. It would be preferable for these two functions to remain separate, allowing for greater flexibility without compromising internal resources.

In summary, the NS4 offers significant advancements but also presents some limitations compared to the NS3, especially in terms of synthesis flexibility and integration with external devices. If the features mentioned are critical for your performances, it might be wise to wait for further software updates or carefully evaluate how these differences might affect your current setup.

Feel free to reach out for further details or clarifications!

Best regards,
Miglio77

[catosim]

For those that have been through the NS3 > NS4 journey, I would appreciate any insights!

Thanks,
Eric

I have both models, and I like them both. I currently don’t play in any specific band, so I have no need for changing set-ups often.

As mentioned from others, the midi-implementation is kind of a downgrade. The NS3 allows two synth-slots AND two extern sections simultaneously, whereas the NS4 only has three slots to choose between.
For my use this isn’t a problem, and IF i need multiple externs, I simply put the NS3 (compact) in my car as well.
Also the NS4 synth has a bit "thinner" sonic character.

On the upside, the NS4 synth section has several benefits vs the NS3, the polyphonic arpeggiator is one example.
Also the Per Layer FX Section is a killer, and is solely worth the change to NS4.
The pianos sounds better (in my point of view), but the benefit of this is basically in solo-sessions or piano-soloist. I believe in a full band context, the sonic improvements of the pianos will shatter in the PA mix.

[Ecaroh]

As mentioned from others, the midi-implementation is kind of a downgrade. The NS3 allows two synth-slots AND two extern sections simultaneously, whereas the NS4 only has three slots to choose between.

IMO it does not make sense that if you put a synth to EXT mode it cut’s off this synth. In other words using EXT mode takes out multitimbral power of NS4. For comparison, in NS3 external was an own panel and thus independent of layers. If I remember right in NS4 it was not even originally like that, shutting synth off with EXT mode came with some NS4 OS update.

And yet this ain’t only NS4 MIDI setback or downgrade from NS3. It’s just one of many problems. I have said many times that Nord is clearly lacking competence of MIDI. In general they have made progress - newer Nords have more features, more memory, more multitimbrality - which you cannot fully use because of stupid MIDI implementation.

[ericL]

Thank you for all the insights and experiences shared. Getting a NS4 is very high on my radar, though I'm gonna sit tight until after NAMM, just to see what, if anything else comes to the surface that might create a different type of GAS. I do not expect anything like a NS5 for several more years, LOL.

In the meantime, I have some sound organization projects in my two NS3 units that I'll get into, just because it is helpful (and mildly therapeutic) to have all the sounds well organized into various bundles and backups.

I will keep the forum up to date on what I end up doing in terms of the NS4 swap.

[ericL]

It has been a few months and NAMM is in the rearview mirror. I remain complacent with my NS3 rig that has been stable for me since about 2018, so we're into 7 years at this point. I'm still doing all that I need with the NS3 and I'm playing in four, soon to be five bands. I have the two NS3 Compact units, one mostly a rehearsal board in a soft case, and one a gig board in a flight case. They simply work for me and I am so happy with the Song mode that it makes things more difficult to consider moving to the NS4.

I was recently invited to a new project that will start as a tribute to INXS, then other band tributes such as U2, Simple Minds, Duran Duran, etc. I've thought about doing a "fresh start" for this band to get a NS4 and use that for the new project. It's fun to think about all of this, while also having these NS3 Compact boards that have been earning their keep for so many years.

[missoundscape]

You are going to get a NS4 anyway, sooner or later . Using it in a new project is the best way to learn the NS4.

I never had songmode (I went from NS2 to NS4), so I don’t know what I’m missing, and I’m very happy with it.
I use a NS4 with NW2 (and a Jupiter Xm). There hasn’t been a Nord that could give me all my MIDI needs. I use a SiparioX for that, and I couldn’t be any happier.

I play in Simple Minds tribute, a 80s new wave/alternative tribute (INXS, U2, Depeche Mode, etc) and this setup works perfectly soundwise.